I’ve been following home energy technology for years, and one question I get more than any other is: how much can a home battery actually save you—during a blackout and in everyday use? It’s a great question because the answer depends on a lot of factors: your location, electricity tariffs, the size of the battery and solar array, how you use electricity, and whether you prioritise...
When I moved into a Victorian terraced house a few years ago, I quickly realised that charm often comes with a hefty...
I’ve been following community solar projects for years, and every time I talk to homeowners or tenants the same...
Upgrading to a hybrid heat pump and gas boiler system can feel like a big step — and rightly so. I recently went...
I’ve been following household energy choices for years, and one trend I keep returning to is the steady move by UK...
Renting shouldn't mean resigning yourself to high energy bills and chilly rooms. Over the years I've negotiated...
After a decade behind the wheel, what actually happens to an EV battery is a question I get asked all the time. People...
Upgrading to a hybrid heat pump and gas boiler system can feel like a big step — and rightly so. I recently went through this process for my own home, and I learned that the key to a successful install isn’t just the equipment: it’s the conversation you have with your installer before any...
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I’ve been following household energy choices for years, and one trend I keep returning to is the steady move by UK homeowners away from pure gas boilers towards hybrid heat pump systems. I’ve spoken with installers, read case studies, and seen the data that explain why many people are making...
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Renting shouldn't mean resigning yourself to high energy bills and chilly rooms. Over the years I've negotiated numerous energy-efficient retrofits with landlords — from simple LED upgrades to cavity wall insulation and heat pump installations — and I want to share what worked, what didn't, and...
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After a decade behind the wheel, what actually happens to an EV battery is a question I get asked all the time. People imagine drama — cars stranded on the roadside, batteries melting down, or, on the flip side, perfectly healthy packs languishing in scrapyards. The reality sits somewhere in...
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I’ve spent years covering energy transitions and working with neighbourhood groups, and one thing keeps coming up: community energy tariffs are a practical, often-underused tool that can both lower household bills and channel revenue into local renewables. In this piece I’ll walk you through...
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I’ve worked with dozens of UK homes considering a heat pump retrofit, and the same questions always come up: “Is my house suitable? How invasive will it be? What should I sort out before the installer comes?” Below I’ve put together a practical, hands-on checklist to help you figure out...
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I’ve been testing smart thermostats for years in my own home and following real-world trials across the UK and Europe, and one question keeps coming up: can devices like Nest and Hive really cut your heating bills by 30%? The short answer is: sometimes
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I’ve long been fascinated by how small, local projects can ripple into broader change. Turning vacant lots into neighborhood microgrids powered by solar and battery storage is one of those high-impact, scalable ideas. It’s practical, visible, and—crucially—anchored in community needs. Below...
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When the lights go out, most of us instantly think about candles, portable chargers and whether the food in the freezer will survive. But increasingly, I find myself thinking about the car in my driveway. Modern electric vehicles (EVs) aren't just transport anymore — many can act as mobile...
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In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have taken center stage in the quest for a greener, more sustainable transportation future. Yet, despite the surge in demand and innovation, one persistent obstacle continues to challenge widespread EV adoption: charging infrastructure. Long charging times...
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